What Is 2018 Governor General's Awards

Overview

The 2018 Governor General's Awards recognized outstanding achievements in Canadian literature, arts, and academic scholarship. These annual honors, administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, highlight contributions across multiple creative and intellectual disciplines.

Established in 1936, the awards are among Canada’s oldest and most prestigious cultural honors. The 2018 recipients were celebrated for their innovation, originality, and impact in their respective fields, from poetry to scholarly research.

• Twelve literary categories and two Visual and Media Arts categories were awarded in 2018, reflecting the breadth of Canadian creativity.
• Winners in each category received $25,000, a medal from the Governor General, and a certificate.
• English and French works were judged separately, ensuring recognition of Canada’s bilingual literary culture.
• The Fiction winner was Esi Edugyan for her novel Washington Black, a historical adventure exploring identity and freedom.
• The Non-Fiction award went to Joshua Knelman for Hot Art, an investigative account of art theft and international crime networks.

How It Works

The Governor General's Awards follow a rigorous selection process involving independent juries and national representation. Each category has its own panel of experts who evaluate submissions based on artistic excellence and originality.

• Term: The awards are presented annually. The 2018 cycle recognized works published or created between June 2017 and May 2018.
• Submissions are accepted in English and French, with separate juries ensuring fair evaluation in both official languages.
• Juries consist of three members each, selected for their expertise in the relevant field, such as poetry, drama, or translation.
• Eligible works must be first published in Canada or by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, regardless of publication location.
• Winners are announced in October or December; the 2018 winners were revealed in a series of announcements starting in late October.
• The Canada Council for the Arts oversees the process, while the Office of the Governor General hosts the award ceremony.

Comparison at a Glance

Award categories and winners in 2018 reflect a diverse range of Canadian voices and disciplines. The table below summarizes key categories and recipients.

The 2018 awards highlighted both established and emerging Canadian artists. Winners spanned genres and regions, from Quebec to British Columbia, reflecting the nation’s cultural diversity. The inclusion of Indigenous artists, such as Rebecca Belmore, underscored growing recognition of First Nations contributions to Canadian art.

Why It Matters

The Governor General's Awards play a crucial role in promoting Canadian culture and supporting artists and writers. Recognition often leads to increased visibility, sales, and international opportunities for recipients.

• Washington Black gained global attention after winning, later adapted into an Amazon Prime series, demonstrating the award’s promotional power.
• Winning authors often see a sales increase of 300–500% in the months following the announcement.
• The awards support literary diversity by honoring works in both official languages and across genres.
• Visual Arts recipients like Rebecca Belmore gain access to major galleries and international exhibitions.
• The recognition helps academic and non-fiction writers reach broader public audiences beyond academic circles.
• By celebrating Canadian voices, the awards strengthen national identity and cultural sovereignty.

Through consistent recognition of excellence, the Governor General's Awards continue to shape Canada’s cultural landscape, encouraging innovation and preserving artistic heritage for future generations.